Playskool Express 1988 - 1991 Train Sets and Accessories
This retro train set was one of my favorite and easy to use train sets growing up.
I remember as a kid playing with both the 1988 and the 1991 train sets. I received for Christmas the 1988 train set from Santa and my brother who was 4 years younger than me later received the 1991 train set. This set was easy to use for kids and durable. As years have gone by and now having kids of my own, I was very disappointed in the young kid train set options so I am setting out to bring this set back to life.
Through repairing and restoring a growing number of Playskool Express locomotives, I began noticing consistent physical differences across units that are all labeled as 1988 models. Over time, these differences formed clear patterns that point to multiple manufacturing revisions during the first year of production.
At this point, I have personally worked on roughly 17–18 locomotives, including one example that appears to fall between two known production versions. Based on repeated tear-down inspection and repair work, I currently recognize three primary production variants within the 1988 locomotive line, along with several smaller feature changes that occurred throughout manufacturing.
These differences are primarily concentrated in the lower chassis and drive wheel assembly, and revolve around two specific design changes that provide reliable identification of production version.
Identified Production Versions
The observed production variants can be grouped as follows:
Production Version
Lower Chassis Nose
Drive Axle Bushings
Notes
Early 1988
Present
Present
Earliest configuration observed
Mid 1988
Present
Absent
Transitional design revision
Late 1988 → 1991
Absent
Absent
Final production configuration
Feature #1 – Lower Chassis Nose Geometry
Early and mid-production 1988 locomotives include a raised molded protrusion (“nose”) at the front of the lower chassis cover. In later production, this molded feature was removed entirely, resulting in a flatter and simplified front profile.
This difference is visible once the lower chassis cover is removed and serves as a clear indicator of early or mid-1988 production.
Nose present → Early or mid 1988 production
Nose absent → Late 1988 or 1991 production
This feature alone does not distinguish early from mid-1988 models but reliably separates early/mid units from later production.
Feature #2 – Drive Wheel Axle Bushings
Early 1988 locomotives utilize plastic axle bushings on both sides of the drive wheel axles, creating a bearing surface between the axle and the chassis.
Mid-1988 and later models eliminated these bushings, and the axle instead rides directly against the molded chassis plastic.
This difference is visible once the lower shell is removed and provides the primary distinguishing feature between early and mid-1988 production.
Bushings present → Early 1988 production
Bushings absent → Mid 1988 or later production
Combined Identification Guide
Using both features together allows reliable production classification:
Chassis Nose
Axle Bushings
Classification
Present
Present
Early 1988
Present
Absent
Mid 1988
Absent
Absent
Late 1988 – 1991
This method allows accurate identification without reliance on packaging, documentation, or serial markings.
